Try this if your baby is waking up every hour at night
If you’ve been struggling with a baby who’s waking up every hour throughout the night, you’re not alone. This is a scenario familiar to many parents, and it occurs for a variety of reasons. Let’s dive into some potential causes and solutions that have been effective over the years.
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Understanding the Causes
First, it’s important to recognize that frequent night wakings in babies can be due to several factors:
Developmental Leap: As your baby grows, they encounter new developmental milestones. During these times, they might experience lighter sleep as they learn new skills, resulting in more frequent awakenings.
Health Issues: Illness or overtiredness can lead to more night wakings as well. Ensuring your child is healthy and well-rested is crucial.
Sleep Associations: The most common reason, however, is related to sleep associations. Many babies wake up because they need some aid to fall back asleep—this might involve nursing, feeding from a bottle, pacifier use, or rocking.
Addressing Sleep Associations
If your baby tends to fall asleep immediately after receiving some form of assistance when they wake up—like nursing or a quick feed—it might be time to reconsider their sleep associations:
At Bedtime: Focus on how your baby is falling asleep at bedtime. The act of sucking, whether it be from a bottle or breast, or even relying on a pacifier, is the most common sleep association. If you can help your baby learn to fall asleep without this form of assistance, you may see improvements.
Support and Practice: When your baby wakes up at night, try not to let them suck back to sleep. Instead, offer support in other ways, such as comfort and gentle rocking, without leading them to depend on sucking or other associations.
Consistency is Key: Over a few nights, this practice can significantly reduce the number of times your baby wakes up. Many parents have successfully eliminated hourly wakings using this method.
Seeking Professional Guidance
If you find that personalized support could be beneficial, consider reaching out for help. There are professionals available, such as nurses specializing in infant sleep, who can guide you based on your baby’s unique needs and circumstances. They can help you assess feeding routines and understand any other factors affecting your baby’s sleep.
Remember, every baby is different, and what works for one may not work for another. It’s about finding the right approach for you and your little one, and sometimes that journey involves a bit of trial and error. However, with patience and persistence, a restful night’s sleep is within reach! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out for advice or leave them in the comments below.
If you need more support
I lead a team of Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners around the globe, who share my programs and who I personally mentor.
If you are struggling with your baby or child, you can reach out and we can help. We do in person and virtual feeding assessments. We also offer women’s health services and can help you achieve optimal hormonal health. Our services are often covered through insurance.
You can find the nurse closest to you here. If you need more help you can reach out to [email protected].
Thank you so much for being a part of our community,
Carrie Bruno RN, IBCLC, MSCP